Producing integral multicolored screens on photographic blanks



Dec., i8 9 @923.

l. KITSEE PRODUCING INTEGRAL MUITICOLORED SCREENS oN PHOTOGRAPHIC BLANKs Filed April 27. 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

Dec. 18 9 1923.

l. KlTSEE PRODUCING INTEGRAL MULTICOLORED SCREENS ON PHOTOGRAPHIC BLANKS Filed Abril. 27. 1921 2 sheets-sheet 2 Q www me j n@ .NH

mwN

KD- L INI/ENTOR /llll NH NNW QH Patented Bec. 18, 1923.

teaser PATENT QFFHQE.

ISIDOR KITSEE, 0F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

IPRODUCING INTEGRAL MULTICOLORED SCREENS ON PHOTOGRAPHIC BLANES.

Application tiled April 27, 1921. Serial Ho. 464,789.

To all whom t may concern Be it known that I, IsInoR Kl'rsnn, citizen of the United States, residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Producing Integral Multicolored Screens on Photographic Blanks, of which the following is a specification.

lMy invention relates to Van improvement in producing integral multi-colored. screens on hotographic blanks.

y invention embraces not only the proc ess with the aid of which a celluloid or like blank may be provided with figurations of different colors, but it also contemplates the means and method of applying these figurations in a simple and economical manner to the photographic blank. I amV well aware that attempts have been made to produce multi-colored screens integral with photographic blanks. I am also aware that Letters Patents in the UnitedStates and other countries have been issued for multi-colored screens,""rbut so far no multi-colored screens integral with photographic blanks, useful for movingpicture work have been made commercially, and none of I.the Letters Patents describe the means, "so that persons versed in the art can produce such screens on commercial basis.

It is one thing to state that figurations of" two or more colors should be produced in required minuteness on a photographic blank, but it is of'far greater importance to clearly point out not only the different steps required, but also the different parts of the apparatus to be used in constructing such screens, so that persons versed in the art may successfully produce the same in commercial quantities.

I will first describe the process or method, with the aid of which a multi-colored screen can be produced directly on a ,celluloid or other suitableblank. As my invention has more special reference to movingv picture films I take it for granted that the photographic blank consists of the usual celluloid film.

In the accompanying drawing, which illustrates one form my invention may take, Figs. l to 6 inclusive are plan viewsof parts of a film representing different stages in the course of producing the multi-colored screens thereon. Fig. 7 is a vertical longitudinal section partly in elevation of the device used in the production of the integral color screen. Fig. 8 is a vertical transverse section taken on the line 8 8 of Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is a plan view of two adjacent discs out of which the roller Vas illustrated in Fig. 8 is produced and of which the discs of Fig. 7 are parts. Fig. 10 is a plan View of one of the dlscs of Fig. 9, the part not recessed being provided with teeth. Fig. 11 is a plan view of one of' the discs of Flg. 9, the disc comprising a number of recessed parts interspaced by parts not recessed.

In Figs. 1 to 6, 1 is the celluloid base, 2 the color with which one surface of the celluloid is tinted, and as I have selected here the screen to consist of the two colors, green and red, the color 2 represents here, green. 3 indicates a covering layer, surfacing the green tinted celluloid. 4 indicates the spaces 4from which the covering layer and the green tint'have been removed. 5 indicates the formerly clear spaces tinted Ynow with a second color, here red. In Fig. 6 the whole screen is indicated by 6 and consists here of red lines interspaced by reen lines y the covering layer being entire y removed. It will be noted that the lines-red as well as green-do not extend the entire length of the film, but that the lines, the red as well as the green are broken up and interspaced longitudinally as well as transversely, the red and the green lines alternating each other in both directions. These alternations are produced through special arrangement of the discs as will later on, in describing these l discs, be more clearly set forth.

In Figs. 7 and 8 the device consists of a race-track 8, in itsbroad construction similar to the construction of the race-track in moving picture projectors and provided with means 9-9 to adjust the same, so that the film passing through the race-track may be prov-ided with the required pressure to hold the same in level position. 10indicates a series of discs comprising the discs 11 and the discs 12, the discs 12 being positioned alternately between the discs 11. Each of the discs, 11 as well as 12, is so constructed that only part of same, here one-half of its circumference will in the working of the Mtl device come in cutting contact with the underlying film and for this reason each of the discs comprises the cutout part of clearance 24, designed not to contact with the film and thepart indicated by 25, which in the working ofthe device comes in cutting contact with the film, whereby it will remove that part-of the substratum and color layer with which the film is provided, but it has to be noted, that in the assembled roller the discs are assembled in a.manner,so that the cutout part of one disc is opposite to the cutout part of the adjacent disc. In other words, when the discs are assembled onthe shaft they will form or present a roller con- `sisting of a series of discs, one-half of the circumference of each disc recessed, but the recessed halves of the adjoining discs oppositely positioned, as is clearly illustrated 1n Fig. 9, so that in the working of the device, that is during each revolution of the roller, only one-half of the discs will be active as cutting discs during one-half of the revolution of the roller and -the other half ofthe discs will only be active as cutting discs during the second half of the revolution. The whole series of discs is positioned on and keyed to the revolvable shaft 13. 14-14 are means to hold the discs together in tight assembly. 15 are the means to raise and lower and. place in exact relation the whole series of discs as to the film 16 passing through the race-track. In practice, I have found that the multi-colored screen does not need to have colored lines thereon of a smaller width than about 1-500` of an inch for each line. The screen therefore will consist here of green lines 'of about 1.500 of an inch in width interspaced, transversely as well as longitudinally, byred lines approximately the same width. Taking now for granted that the screen will consist, transversel considered of 500 lines per inch, 250 of eac color, and taking for granted that the screen will be produced with the aid of the device as illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8, it has to be started, that each of the discs, 11 as well as 12 should be about 1-500 of an inc h in thickness. For better understandin I call the whole series of discs, as assemble on the shaft, the cutting roller and each inch of this cutting roller will therefore conzist of 500 discs, 250 of which are recessed as to one half of their circumference in respect to one'position of the` roller and 250 of which are recessed as to one half of their circumference in respect to theo posite position of the roller. In practice, I iiave found that a very convenient/size for these discs is vfrom 2 to 3 inches in diameter. 17 is an adjustable freely revolving roller, positioned in the cutout place 26 of the race-track and adapted to contact with the film 16, so that the same may not deviate from its proper position. 18 is an electric motor, with -the aid of which the cutting roller may be revolved. I have here shown the motor as being connected to the shaft 13 with the aid of a belt 27. The reason for this is: if the motor be connected directly to the shaft, the vibrations of the motor may injuriously affect the operation of the cutting roller. 19 is a spool from which the film is unwound during operation, 20 the film already acted upon by the cutting roller and 21 is the means to draw the film under the cutting roller.

The mode or method of producing the multi-'colored screen according to my inventionjis substantially as follows: As my invention has more s ecial reference to moving picture films, will refer to the celluloid blank as film or part of film, useful to take thereon, lafter completionA of the`proc. ess and propercoating with pan-chromatic emulsion, negatives with the aid of which, positives may be produced and exhibited 1n the same manner and with substantially the same apparatus as'moving pictures are projected today.

The first requisite is, a celluloid blank in the form of a film, either perforated or' unperforated. This film is then tinted on one surface with one color. The tinting with the color may be produced with the aid of rollers or brushes, and in this case, the opposite surface does not require any protective coating. The dye-solution should be such as to affect the Celluloid roper, b ut in a very mild degree. For thls purpose dyes have` to be selectedf soluble in alcohol, and an agent VYaffecting the celluloid has to be added. VThis agent may consistof any of theusu'al solvents, such for instance as amylacetate, acetone or ether.` In the practical working, it was found, that a ver even tint can be applied to the celluloi if the film is immersed in the liquid and moved too and fro.y utin -this case the underside or opposite surface hasto be protected4 from the action of the dye soluf 110 tion. This can readily be accom lished by covering the underside with alig t coating of gelatine or gum arabic. Care shall be taken not to make the dye solution too active or to leave the ,filmj too long in thisll5 solution, as otherwise the tintin will enetrate toa depth greaterthan deslred-' ter the film is takeny from the color bath, the ssalne is subjected. to a dryingfgprocess either with or without the aid of artificial means. 120 When completely dry, the tinted surface is provided with a protecting-layer, such for instance as was used for protecting the 'underside from the dye solution, that isv with a coa of gelatine, gum arabic or 125 substance ar in action. After drying the film is subjected t0 n ,cutting process with the aid ofthe device, substantially as' is illustrated in Figs.l 7 8 and .9, in the fol# lowing manner: The is-wound 130 afi-raser e3 a spool and the free end of theA film is threaded or carried through theracetrack of the device and this end is then carried through the pulling means, here 21. This means is adapted to be rotated with the aid of an electric motor or device similar in action; In practice I prefer an electric motor as its speed can easily be regulated with the aid of a variable rheostat. The cutting roller has to be adjusted then in a manner so that the discs at the true or unrece'ssed diameter should slightly press on the film and should, when rotated cut through the protecting layer and that part of the surface of the film which is tinted, so that the protective layer as well as the tinted surface is removed and a space freed from the color and protective coatingy (substratum) is produced. In practice it has been found that the greater the rotating speed of the cutting roller, the greater the efficiency of same and for all practical purposes it is suggested, that the speed of the cutting roller should be about double or greater than the speed of the moving film. 1,800 to 2,500 revolutions per minute of the cutting rolier is not excessive. This speed can be regulated by the sizes of the pulleys on the shaft of the cutting` roller and on the shaft of the motor respectively. kThe movement of the film should be in a direction opposite to the direction of the revolving cutting roller,

indicating the direction of rotation of the cutting roller land the unfeathered arrow the direction of the movement of the film through the race-track. After the whole length of the film has passed throu h the race-track and'has been acted upon y the cutting roller, it will present an appearance substantially as follows: Colored lines of comparatively short length `interspaced transversely and longitudinally by short lines minus the color and the protective layer. In other words the film will represent a surface in which short colored ylines will alternate transversely and longitudinally with short clear lines. A film of this description is clearly illustrated in Fig. 4. Y

The upper surface of the film Aso produced is then subjected to a dye solution of a color different from that of the first dye solution, but this solutionshould have substantially the same prop' ties as theV first dye solution. It should e ectually tint the celluloid now laid bare through the cutting ofi of the protective layer and yformerly tinted part of the Celluloid. It has to be stated, that if-the laying on of the second color is produced with the aid of rollers or brushes, it is unnecessary to give the underside a protective coating; but, as it has been found in practice, that the immersion of the whoie film in the dye' solution is the more as is clearly indicated' by the different arrows; the feathered arrow practical and eliicient, then the underside has to be provided with a protective layer similar to the substratum or protective layer above referred to. Care has to be taken that the individual cutters or discs should be of exactly the same diameter, so that no disc should protrude or be recessed as compared with the other discs, as otherwise the nished product will not be satisfactory. (lare should also be taken to place the/ cutting roller in exact positionas to the surface of the film to be cut and therefore the adjustment as indicated by 15 in Figs. 7 and 8 should be micrometrically correct. The film, after the second tinting will, if green and red are used as dyeing solutions, represent a surface substantially as illustrated in Fig. 5. The remaining protective coating may then be removed by slmply washing the film in Water and the filmwill present a surface substantially as illustrated in Fig. 6.

To reduce' the heat, generated through the friction of the cutting roller and the moving film, means have to be provided to conduct this heat from the device and a blast of cool air, as practice has proven, will edectually reduce the temperature of the cutting roller as well as that of the film. In F ig. 7 23 indicates part of the means through which the cold air is conveyed onto the cutting roller and the moving film.

In the drawing I have selected to be shown a perforatedfilm as being acted upon by the cutting roller, and therefore the means to draw the film through the racetrack is illustrated as the usual sprocket wheels, but if the film be unperforated, suitable friction rollers may be substituted for the sprocket wheels.

During the explanation of the drawing I have given figures of the diameter of the discs, but it is obvious that the diametenot these discs maybe increased or decreased in accordance with requirements. I have also pointed out satisfactory speedsotthe cutting roller as Well as of the moving film; these speeds may be increased or decreased or the relative speeds of the roller and ofthe film may be changed in accordance with requirements Without 4departing from the scope of m invention.

I have 'ilustrated the discs to be smoothedged because I have found 'this construction of the disc very satisfactory, but if it isdesired to make the edges ragged, notched or toothed, results ma also be produced from the revolving rol er, but care has to be taken that the ragged edges or teeth 28 should not be clogged u or when clogged up, that they be oleane as otherwise the result will not be satisfactory and the film will present an uneven ap earance. I must also add, that if toothedv iscs be employed,

the movement; of the film as to the number reduced. I have also illustrated and described each cutting disc to comprise one continuous cutting edge, interspaced by one continuous recessed space, but it is obvious that each of the discs may comprise a seriesv roller and the slower the speed of the moving A film in relation therewith, the shorter will be the transparent lines produced by the cutting of the discs and therefore the shorter willv be the colored iigurations in the n-' ished film. y

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. The method of producing multi-colored screens on blanks useful for photographic purposes which consists in tinting one` surface of a celluloid blank with one color, protecting the tinted surface with a protective coating, removing the protective coating and tinted surface longitudinally from alternate areas of the tinted blank and tinting the freed parts with a second color.

2. In the process of producing multicolored screens on celluloid blanks the steps which consists in first tinting one surface with one color and then removing longitudinally considered alternate areas of said surface.

3. The method of producing multi-colored screens integral with moving picture films which consists in first providing one surface of a celluloid blank with a protective coating, immersing then said blank in a dyesolution adapted to attack the unprotected surface in a manner, so as to tint the same, coating the tinted surface when ory with a protective layer, clearing longitudinally considered alternate areas of the tinted -surface from its protective layer and tint, immersing the blank in a second dye solution different in color from the first dye solution, and adapted to tint the free parts with a second color and then removing the protective layer entirely.

4. In the process of producing multicolored screens integral with photographic blanks the improvement which consists in causing a series of cleared short lines to be produced on a celluloid film tinted on one surface with a required color, the cleared short lines alternating with short colored lines. l

5. The process of producing an integral screen on moving picture films, which consists in cutting short lines into the previously tinted surface of a celluloid film in a manner, so as to remove the tint from said lines and then tinting the lines from which the color has been removed, with a second color.

6. In the art of producing integral color .screens on blanks useful for photography the improvement which consists in causing to be produced through the mono-tinted surface of a blank through the removal of parts of said blank to a predetermined depth longitudinal unconnected areas in intaglio and then tinting said areas with a different color.

7 The art of producing color screens on blanks useful for photography which consists in clearing longitudinally considered -f vthe step which consists in first removing longitudinal and unconnected parts of the previously tinted surface and then tinting the freed arts with a different tint. y

10. In t e art of producing integral color screens on celluloid blanks useful for photography the improvement which consists in causing to be produced through the previously tinted surface of a blank at one and the same operation, longitudipally as well as transversely considered, series of short and unconnected clear lines in intaglio and later tinting these lines with a color differing from the first tint.

11. In the art of roducng color screens useful for photographic purposes the method which consists 1n causing to be produced through the` previously tinted surface of a blank' short unconnected areas `free from said tint through the removal of the tinted surface, interspaced by short areas retaining their previous tint.

12.Y In the art of producing color screens on blanks useful for photographic purposes the step which conslsts in causing to be produced throu h the previously tinted surface of a blan short unconnected areas free lfrom said tint, interspaced by short areas retaining their previous tint.

13. In 'the art of producing integral color screens on moving picture lms consisting of short lines of one color interspaced by short lines of a second color, the 'method which consists in first coloring the surface of a blank with one color, applying a proscreens on photographic blanks useful for tective coating to lsaid colored surface, rephotography they stepwhich consists in removing the coating and tint from alternate moving simultaneously from the surface 10 areas, tinting said areas with a second color of a Celluloid blank a series of lineal areas 5 and removing then the protective coating interspaced longitudinally and transversely. from all areas. In testimony whereof I affix my signature. 14. In the art of producing multi-colored ISIDOR KITSEE. 

